smash the stack

[C programming] To corrupt the execution
stack by writing past the end of a local array or other data
structure. Code that smashes the stack can cause a return from the
routine to jump to a random address, resulting in some of the most
insidious data-dependent bugs known to mankind. Variants include
`trash' the stack, scribble the stack, mangle the
stack; the term **mung the stack is not used, as this is never
done intentionally. See spam; see also aliasing bug,
fandango on core, memory leak, memory smash,
precedence lossage, overrun screw.